When the Camellia Blooms (Korean: 동백꽃 필 무렵) is a 2019 South Korean television series starring Gong Hyo-jin and Kang Ha-neul. It aired on KBS2's Wednesdays and Thursdays at 22:00 (KST) from September 18 to November 21, 2019. Each episode was released on Netflix in South Korea and most Asia-Pacific and English speaking countries after their television broadcast.
When the Camellia Blooms became the highest rated mini-series drama airing in 2019 with a single episode rating of 23.8%. According to Nielsen Korea, the drama also became the second highest rated drama of 2019 with all episodes' average ratings of 14.83% behind SBS's The Fiery Priest.
The series was met with praise by critics and audiences for its production and solid actors' performances. It also received favourable reviews for its realistic plot and unique genre combinations of romantic-comedy and thriller.
When the Camellia Blooms received 10 nominations at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards, winning 4 – Grand Prize for Television, Best Screenplay, Best Actor for Kang Ha-neul and Best Supporting Actor for Oh Jung-se, and won multiple awards at 2019 KBS Drama Awards including Grand Prize for Gong Hyo-jin.
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Synopsis
When the Camellia Blooms is the story of Oh Dong-baek (Gong Hyo-jin), a single mother who moves to the fictional town of Ongsan and opens a bar named Camellia. Dong-baek faces many challenges and meets a variety of colourful characters as she attempts to settle down in the small town. Six years later, Dong-baek meets playful Yong-sik (Kang Ha-neul), a justice seeking police officer who declares his love for her. Meanwhile, a notorious killer sets out to claim Dong-baek as his next victim. Yong-sik balances his attempts to woo Dong-baek who does her best as a single working mother, while also discovering the killer's identity.
Cast
Main
Gong Hyo-jin as Oh Dong-baek
A single mother who runs a bar called "Camellia" in Ongsan. She is the mother of Pil-gu and ex-girlfriend to Jong-ryul. Although initially she does not reciprocate Yong-sik's feelings, she eventually grows to like him the more he spends time with her and her son.
Kang Ha-neul as Hwang Yong-sik
A police officer with a strong instinct for finding and beating up criminals. He moves back to his hometown Ongsan after being demoted and there he meets and falls for Dong-baek. He vows to always be on her side and protect both her and her son, even at his mother's disapproval. He becomes focused on catching the serial killer known as "Joker" after Dong-baek becomes his next target.
Kim Ji-seok as Kang Jong-ryul
A famous baseball player and ex-boyfriend to Dong-baek. He is shown to be continuously self-centered and jealous of Yong-sik's relationship with Dong-baek and Pil-gu.
Ji Yi-soo as Jessica / Park Sang-mi
Wife to Jong-ryul she's insecure and mainly focuses on trying to be a social media icon. She is mostly neglectful of her daughter and takes advantage of her relationship with Jong-ryul for fame.
Oh Jung-se as No Gyu-tae
Dong-baek's landlord, who repeatedly hits on her. He is unhappily married to Ja-young.
Yeom Hye-ran as Hong Ja-young
A very intelligent lawyer and wife to Gyu-tae. She often talks down to her husband because of his incompetency.
Son Dam-bi as Choi Hyang-mi / Choi Go-woon
Supporting
Kim Sun-young as Park Chan-sook
Kim Dong-hyeon as Song Jin-bae
Kim Mi-hwa as Kim Jae-yeong
Lee Seon-hee as Jeong Gwi-ryeon
Han Ye-joo as Jo Ae-jeong
Lee Sang-yi as Yang Seung-yeop
Kim Mo-ah as Yang Seung-hee
Baek Hyun-joo as Oh Ji-hyeon
Lee Joong-yeol as Han Tae-hee
Jin Yong-wook as Choi Jong-rok
Lee Kyu-sung as Park Heung-sik
Carson Allen as Helena
Lee Jae-woo as Kwon Oh-joon
Park Yeon-woo as Park Seong-min
Hwang Young-hee as Lee Hwa-ja
Baek Eun-hye as Sung-hee
Lee Jin-hee as Geum-ok
Yoo Yeon as Lee Ji-ho
Jeon Guk-hyang as Hong Eun-sil
Kim Geon as Song Joon-gi
Yoon Seong-woo as Soo-bong
Seo Jang-hyeon as Dae-seong
Kim Dae-gon as Shaman performing funeral
Jang Ye-rim as restaurant employee
Special appearances
Choi Dae-chul as Hwang Kyu-sik, Yong-sik's eldest brother (Ep. 26)
In Gyo-jin as Hwang Doo-sik, Yong-sik's second brother (Ep. 26)
Jung Ga-ram as adult Pil-gu (Ep. 36, 40)